Troopers plan checkpoints and other news from areas around Chattanooga

Troopers plan checkpoints and other news from areas around Chattanooga

December 10th, 2012by Staff Reports and Associated Press in Local Regional News

Troopers plan checkpoints

DECATUR, Tenn. - The Tennessee Highway Patrol will conduct driver's license checkpoints in Meigs County from Sunday through Dec. 22, according to a news release.

Checkpoints are contingent on manpower availability and weather conditions.

Berry students win Gates award

ROME, Ga. - Two Dalton, Ga., natives are among four Berry College students named Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholars.

Monica Maldonado and Jeffery Ramos, of Dalton, join Autumn Folse, of Hendersonville, Tenn., and Rachel Rogers, whose hometown was not listed in the college news release

The Millennium Scholars Program awards scholarships to 1,000 students each year that they may use at any college, according to the release. To learn more about the Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholars Program, visit www.gmsp.org.

Customers shot; clerk charged

COLUMBUS, Ga. - A Columbus gas station worker is accused of shooting two customers after an argument got out of hand.

Police said Darschan Bhalodi, 25, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Police told WTVM that an argument developed over payment for a purchase Friday night. The argument moved outside, where Bhalodi said he was threatened with a beer bottle. Police said Bhalodi fired a handgun, striking one man in the buttocks and the other in the arm. Both are expected to recover.

Hunters find body in woods

CANTON, Ga. - Police in Cherokee County are investigating a body found in a wooded area behind a shopping center.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Canton police said hunters found the body about 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Police said it appeared to be a Hispanic man between 20 and 30 years old and he bore no identification.

House parties shootings kill 3

LOACHAPOKA, Ala. - Three people are dead and three others injured after weekend house parties erupted in gunfire.

Officers in Lee County said Lamar Shanks, 24, of Opelika, and Lamar Curtis Lockhart, 44, of Auburn, were killed when someone started shooting during an argument. A third person was injured, and an 18-year-old is in custody.

Police in New Hope said Timothy Goldsmith, 23, is charged with one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder after shooting into a party he was asked to leave.

Madison County Coroner Craig Whisenant said Joel Coleman, 20, was killed and two others injured.